AGP Executive Report

Federal Surveillance Fight: Congress let Section 702 of FISA expire after a standoff over President Trump’s acting DNI pick, Bill Pulte—then Trump moved to name Jay Clayton as the permanent intelligence director, keeping the political pressure on. Immigration Courtroom Fallout (CT): A former New Haven woman sued ICE in federal court over a 2025 arrest while driving her children to school, alleging agents boxed in her car, handcuffed her in front of kids, and acted without a judicial warrant. CT Tax & Budget Reality: Connecticut collected $2.4B in individual income taxes in Q4 2025, up 67.2% from the prior quarter, while a separate CT-focused look at the state’s tax system argues any “fairer” changes come with tradeoffs. Workplace Rules for CT Employers: Connecticut’s new workplace legislation adds wage transparency requirements and expands limits on employment promissory notes, with compliance deadlines now on the calendar. Cybersecurity Funding Squeeze: MS-ISAC says it lost federal funding and is shedding members, raising concerns that smaller local governments could be left more exposed to ransomware and sabotage. Gun Violence Lens (Tri-state): A tri-state gun violence report finds shootings may be down, but the human and economic toll remains heavy—Connecticut included.

Surveillance Showdown in Congress: The House failed to extend FISA’s Section 702, setting up a likely Friday lapse and reigniting the fight over President Trump’s acting DNI pick, Bill Pulte, with Democrats demanding he be removed before any renewal. Connecticut Public Safety: The FBI launched “Operation Summer Heat” in Connecticut, aiming to curb violent crime through summer enforcement and local tips, running through Sept. 20. Healthcare Costs in CT: Insurers are seeking double-digit 2027 rate hikes affecting nearly 220,000 Connecticut residents, drawing sharp criticism from AG William Tong and scrutiny from the state insurance department. Rent-Algorithm Court Fight: A federal case over New York’s ban on algorithmic rent-setting could shape similar rules in states including Connecticut, turning on whether rent recommendations are protected speech or regulable conduct. AI Data Center Politics: Lawmakers face pushback as states move ahead on AI data center limits while Congress stalls, with major tech spending fueling the debate. CT Privacy Watch: Automated license plate readers are being used at major retailers, including reports in Connecticut, raising new privacy questions. National Security Personnel: Trump’s next DNI pick, Jay Clayton, follows the FISA standoff and keeps the intelligence leadership dispute front and center.

FISA Fight in Congress: A key foreign surveillance law (Section 702) is on track to expire after the House rejected a short-term extension, with Democrats demanding President Trump withdraw acting DNI pick Bill Pulte before they’ll back renewal; Trump then announced a permanent intelligence director pick, Jay Clayton, but the standoff remains. AI Regulation Push: States are moving ahead with targeted AI rules as federal action stalls, focusing on how chatbots affect children and how employers use AI. SNAP Pressure on Capitol Hill: Connecticut and other attorneys general are urging Senate leaders to restore SNAP cuts in the Farm Bill, warning hunger and higher state costs. CT Law Enforcement: Norwalk police wrapped up an undercover child predator sting that led to arrests of four Connecticut men. CT Courts: Connecticut Supreme Court sided with tenants in a Fair Rent Commission case. ICE and Sanctuary Politics: ICE is asking Connecticut officials not to release three arrested people tied to an online child predator sting. Energy/Utilities: Connecticut agencies asked FERC to cut Eversource and UI’s federal RTO adder. World Cup Heat Safety: Labor advocates warn tournament workers face dangerous heat risks.

Federal Voting Rights: With the U.S. Supreme Court gutting the federal Voting Rights Act, states including Connecticut are moving to fill the gap with their own election protections and map-approval rules. Immigration Enforcement & Elections: DHS/ICE is pushing back on concerns about agents at polling places, telling states there’s “no reason” for ICE personnel to be deployed to vote sites, while election officials press for clear guarantees. ICE in Connecticut: ICE says Connecticut sanctuary officials should not release three people detained in a sting targeting online child predators; DHS describes the arrests in New Britain and detainers tied to the cases. Surveillance Law Fight: Section 702 of FISA is set to expire after Congress failed to extend it, leaving lawmakers and intelligence officials warning of a potential foreign-intelligence collection gap. Connecticut Health Insurance: Connecticut residents face major premium changes as insurers seek double-digit rate hikes for 2027 plans covering about 220,000 people, with public comment now underway. Energy Regulation: Connecticut agencies ask FERC to cut Eversource/UI “bonus” charges in a federal complaint. Arts & Community: Connecticut arts groups are gearing up for summer programming, including major performances and touring work across the state.

FISA Fight in Congress: Section 702 of FISA is set to expire after House and Senate votes failed, leaving U.S. surveillance abroad in limbo as Democrats demand Bill Pulte be withdrawn and replaced; Trump then named Jay Clayton as permanent DNI, but the standoff over Pulte wasn’t broken in time. Connecticut Health Insurance Costs: Connecticut insurers filed rate requests for 2027 covering about 220,000 residents, with average increases in the mid-to-high teens and some requests above 20%, triggering new public scrutiny. ICE and Sanctuary Politics: DHS/ICE asked Connecticut sanctuary officials not to release three people arrested in a sting targeting online child predators, as charges proceed. CT Public Safety Benefits: Gov. Ned Lamont signed a law expanding benefits for police, firefighters, correction officers, EMS, and National Guard members to boost recruitment and retention. Prediction Markets Clash: The CFTC renewed its push against state efforts to regulate prediction markets, including a New Mexico lawsuit over sports-related contracts. Media Merger Watch: DOJ approved Paramount–Skydance’s $111B Warner Bros. Discovery deal without divestitures, clearing a major federal hurdle.

FISA Fight in Congress: A key foreign surveillance program (Section 702) is set to expire Friday after the House rejected a short-term extension in a bipartisan collapse, as Democrats tied renewal to removing Bill Pulte from acting DNI and pushing for a permanent replacement—Trump then named U.S. attorney Jay Clayton, but the standoff remained. CT Courts & Housing: The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled tenants can block evictions when they have a pending Fair Rent Commission case, strengthening eviction protections statewide. CT Higher Ed: CCSU’s proposed shift toward an R2 “comprehensive polytechnic” model is sparking debate over whether it will dilute liberal arts and shared governance. CT Public Safety Training: Connecticut is moving toward community-driven police training for officers in urban areas, built around implicit bias, reconciliation, and procedural justice. CT Federal Probe: New Britain says federal investigators subpoenaed City Hall records tied to former Mayor Erin Stewart’s spending and benefits, as the investigation continues. SNAP Push: Connecticut-linked attorney general coalition efforts are urging Congress to restore SNAP benefits in the Farm Bill. Great American State Fair Fallout: Connecticut is among states declining to participate in Trump’s 250th-anniversary National Mall fair, citing costs and concerns about politicization. Prediction Markets Turf War: The CFTC escalated its fight with states by suing New Mexico over enforcement against federally regulated prediction market contracts.

FISA Standoff in Congress: Section 702 spy powers are set to expire Friday after the House failed to pass a temporary extension, with lawmakers tying renewal to Trump moving on from acting DNI Bill Pulte; Trump now says he’ll nominate Jay Clayton as permanent DNI, but the clock is still ticking. CT Energy Regulation: Connecticut’s AG and agencies asked FERC to remove a 0.5% transmission “RTO adder” that Eversource and Avangrid get for ISO New England participation, arguing a 2025 law makes them ineligible and could cut costs for ratepayers. CT Policing & Data: Reports say North Carolina police are using automatic license plate reader data from Lowe’s and Home Depot stores in an anti-theft crackdown, raising questions about how retail surveillance feeds law enforcement. CT Workforce/Schools: Newington hosted state leaders highlighting Connecticut Career Paths, a cross-agency effort to connect students to apprenticeships, trades, military options, and other career routes. Juvenile Justice Backlash: A national analysis finds more states rolling back youth reforms and expanding adult prosecution, despite research that harsher penalties don’t reduce crime.

FISA Fight in Congress: House lawmakers rejected a short-term extension of Section 702, setting up a likely lapse of a major foreign surveillance authority as lawmakers scramble over guardrails and Trump’s intel leadership shakeup. Intel Pick Fallout: Trump nominated U.S. attorney Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, after earlier controversy over acting DNI Bill Pulte; the move is already drawing scrutiny from lawmakers including Connecticut’s Jim Himes. Connecticut Courts: The Connecticut Supreme Court ordered a new trial in a $13.2 million estate tax dispute, faulting the lower court’s standard for proving the decedent’s Connecticut residence. Veterans Policy: House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs leaders unveiled a sweeping “Take Care of America’s Veterans Act” package aimed at fast-tracking the Major Richard Star Act and dozens of stalled benefits bills. Public Health Warning: After three Connecticut child deaths tied to diphenhydramine overdoses, officials renewed warnings about the viral “Benadryl challenge,” even as they can’t confirm a direct link. Local Government: Bristol City Council approved an ordinance allowing automated traffic cameras for school and pedestrian safety zones, with citations issued by mail after review.

FISA Fight: The House rejected a short-term extension of the foreign intelligence surveillance tool Section 702, setting up a likely lapse as the Friday deadline nears—tied to Democrats’ anger over President Trump’s acting DNI pick, housing regulator Bill Pulte. National Security & Iran: Trump said he called off threatened new strikes on Iran after talks moved to “the highest level,” as the conflict centers on high-stakes targets like Kharg Island. Connecticut in the Mix: Connecticut is among states not sending official delegations to Trump’s Freedom 250 “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall, even as organizers insist all states will be represented. Legal/AG Action: Connecticut Attorney General Raoul co-led a coalition defending New York’s public-safety rules for state courthouses, and also joined lawsuits challenging Trump administration contract mandates aimed at federal contractors’ DEI practices. Public Safety: Connecticut reported three child deaths from overdoses of the common allergy medicine diphenhydramine, prompting renewed concern about access and dosing. Workplace AI: Connecticut’s new AI employment disclosure rules are landing as employers scramble to comply with state and local requirements.

Connecticut Hate-Crime Law Update: Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation in Willimantic strengthening Connecticut’s hate crime statutes, streamlining what police and prosecutors can charge and adding tools to better investigate bias-motivated acts. CT Energy & Utilities: Lamont renewed pressure on Eversource and other utilities to “earn” the right to operate, arguing oversight and franchise requirements are needed to keep electricity costs down as opponents say the fixes are coming too late. CT Higher Ed Watchdog: An I-Team report says Connecticut State Colleges and Universities has overused paid administrative leave for years, with auditors flagging long stretches of paid time away from work. Federal Contractor Fight: AG William Tong joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over new, vague federal contract terms aimed at purging “DEI,” arguing the rules are unclear and could cost Connecticut billions. Social Security Crunch: A new projection says the Social Security trust fund could run out in 2032, triggering automatic benefit cuts that would hit Connecticut retirees hardest among states. National Education Culture-War Hearing: House Republicans grilled Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King and other superintendents on transgender inclusion and DEI-linked policies, with King defending district compliance and student outcomes. Local Schools Spotlight: Newington named pre-K teacher Kimberly DePaolis its 2026-27 Teacher of the Year. Bristol 250th Celebration: Bristol will hold America’s 250th anniversary festivities June 14 on Federal Hill Green with reenactors, food trucks, and a brass-and-wind ensemble concert.

Congress & Education: Republicans grilled Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King in a subpoenaed House hearing over race, transgender student policies, religion and sex education, with King defending CPS practices as aligned with state law. Immigration & Public Safety: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill creating a six-month driver’s license suspension for repeat offenders who fail to stop for school buses. Local Law & Order: Police in Winsted are investigating the death of business owner Carrie Stetson as an isolated domestic violence incident; her husband is in critical condition. CT Politics & Ballot Access: A congressional outsider, Ruth Fortune, says her campaign has gathered enough signatures to qualify for Connecticut’s 1st District Democratic primary ballot, despite the state’s strict petition rules. AI in Schools: Connecticut lawmakers and districts are scrambling to set guardrails as AI use grows, with new state guidance and school-level policies still catching up. National Security: Congress remains deadlocked over renewing FISA Section 702, with disputes tied to Trump’s spy chief pick and broader privacy-versus-safety fights.

Gun Policy & Courts: A Connecticut judge upheld the state AG’s objection to a plan to seek “ghost gun” advice from a Wiggin and Dana LLP attorney in a major enforcement fight. Health Care Costs & Transparency: Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy opened public comment on a preliminary list of the state’s highest-cost outpatient prescription drugs, with data from 2023. Immigration Enforcement & Privacy: Advocates in Danbury say ICE brought a camera crew during an enforcement operation; ICE confirmed the operation but wouldn’t explain the filming. School Safety: Ledyard Middle School was evacuated after a swatting call, with police saying it was a fake threat and the investigation is ongoing. State Politics & Accountability: New Britain demanded former Mayor Erin Stewart repay more than $240,000 tied to severance, tuition, and legal costs after an independent investigation. Federal Policy Watch: Sen. Richard Blumenthal proposed banning Amtrak from using mandatory arbitration for civil rights and consumer disputes. Social Security: The trust fund is projected to run low by 2032, with trustees warning Congress to act.

Consumer Data Crackdown: Connecticut became the second state to regulate “dynamic pricing,” banning retailers from using personally identifiable data to customize prices for shoppers, following Maryland’s earlier move and mirroring New York’s parallel effort. Immigration Courts: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong backed a major win against the Trump administration’s unlawful $100,000 H-1B visa fee, as a judge blocked the policy and the administration faces appeals. Environmental Enforcement: AG Tong sued a North Haven metal finishing business and related companies over serial hazardous waste and air pollution violations tied to operations near the Quinnipiac River. Local Accountability: New Britain demanded more than $241,000 from former Mayor Erin Stewart for alleged improper severance, tuition reimbursements, and investigation-related legal costs, plus pension changes. AI & Privacy: Connecticut also advanced sweeping privacy and AI rules, including new requirements affecting how businesses use data and deploy certain AI systems. Public Safety/Health: DEEP-related updates included a commissioner transition as the state continues tightening oversight across environmental and health fronts.

H-1B Fight: A federal judge in Massachusetts struck down President Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unlawful tax, siding with a coalition including California and other states; the administration says it will appeal. Connecticut Lawmaking: Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill creating a comprehensive hate-crime code, tightening definitions and adding new offenses tied to bias-motivated false reports, swatting, and threats to houses of worship (effective Oct. 1, 2026). AI Governance: Connecticut’s new AI law (SB 5) sets notice and safety requirements for certain high-risk uses, including automated employment decisions, with key provisions rolling in over the next year-plus. Public Utilities Watch: Connecticut’s AG objected to a judge’s request for advice from a Wiggin and Dana attorney in a “ghost gun” supplier case, while a separate I-Team report raised questions about PURA communications with a utility executive during a rate decision. Elections: Connecticut Republicans are collecting signatures to replace their own endorsed candidate in the 50th House District after anti-Pride social media posts. Sports & Culture: Connecticut retired Jonquel Jones’ No. 35 jersey, though she missed the game due to illness.

Gun Law in Focus: Gov. Ned Lamont signed a new Connecticut law targeting certain Glock-style pistols that can be converted into fully automatic machine guns, with supporters pointing to lower gun violence and opponents calling it unconstitutional. Home Care Workforce: Connecticut also adopted new training requirements for homemaker companion workers, expanding mandatory instruction beyond reporting and harassment to include safety, abuse/neglect identification, and dementia-related non-medical services. Nursing Home Ownership Rules: Lamont signed legislation tightening private equity involvement in nursing homes, requiring annual certification that investors can’t control care or safety and adding ownership disclosure rules starting in 2027. EV Infrastructure: Connecticut is set to install 370 new EV chargers for the state fleet, aiming to electrify vehicles used by employees at depots. Medicare for All Push: More than 325 organizations signed an open letter backing Medicare for All, keeping national health-care reform in the spotlight. Connecticut Climate Accountability: A new report says the state has completed just over half of the governor’s 2021 climate order. Corporate/Legal Watch: States including Connecticut are reportedly preparing a lawsuit to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger on antitrust grounds.

State Budget & Taxes: Connecticut collected $10 billion in individual income taxes in 2024, up from $9.6 billion the year before, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Food Assistance Fight: Gov. Ned Lamont announced $8.5 million to help bridge predicted SNAP losses tied to federal work requirement changes, while a federal judge in a separate case blocked enforcement of new USDA conditions on billions in food aid. Public Safety & Wildlife: A homeowner reported a 6-foot black rat snake on his roof; wildlife control said the nonvenomous snake may be using homes for shelter as development overlaps habitat. Federal Surveillance Politics: Rep. Jim Himes criticized President Trump’s choice of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, warning it could jeopardize Section 702 reauthorization. Connecticut Courts & Gambling: Connecticut is named among states facing federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission challenges tied to prediction markets. Sports & Community: The Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival runs June 12-20, expanding in screenings while keeping most films under half an hour.